6 wanted persons slain in North Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY–Police in North Cotabato on Thursday killed at least six wanted persons, who allegedly put up violent resistance.

Thirty-eight others were arrested during the day-long simultaneous serving of search and arrest warrants in 16 municipalities, Senior Supt. Jonathan Tangonan, the North Cotabato police chief, said on Friday.

The six wanted persons resisted arrest and traded shots with lawmen, Tangonan said.

Tangonan said the simultaneous operations were conducted in Kidapawan City and in the towns of Makilala, Magpet, Antipas, Pres. Roxas, Arakan, Mlang, Tulunan, Matalam, Kabacan, Carmen, Pigcawayan, Aleosan, Midsayap, Libungan, Alamada and Banisilan.

Law enforcers also recovered 35 sachets of shabu during the so-called “One time Big Time” operations, five rifles and hand grenades, seven cal. 45 pistols and cal. 38 revolvers.

Tangonan identified the slain suspects, who refused arrest and opened fire on lawmen as Jerry and his brother John Rey Castillon, during the 8:30 p.m. serving of warrants for gun possession and illegal drugs in Tulunan town.

At 9:30 p.m., drug suspect John Ryn Lapastura was killed after he reportedly traded shots with police in Barangay Poblacion, also in Tulunan. His companion, Angelito Cabalfin, was also killed.

In Kabacan, North Cotabato, drug suspects Ronnie Acoy and Samboto Macaulang were killed when they allegedly resisted arrest and fired at law enforcers. Recovered along with their dead bodies were three handguns.

Tangonan said those arrested were now facing charges ranging from violation of the illegal drugs law, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, rape, robbery, illegal gambling and murder and attempted murder.

He said the suspects were now being detained in various police lock up cells in the province.